UPike celebrates Religious Emphasis Week

PIKEVILLE – The University of Pikeville family will again be setting aside special time to focus on Christian heritage and the inherent religious focus of the campus family during Religious Emphasis Week, Nov. 12-16. This year’s events highlight the “Spirituality of Hospitality: Creating Space for Others.”

“Come and join UPike as we explore the various ways in which our neighbors experience God and practice their faith,” said Rob Musick, chaplain and instructor of religion. “Help us make space for all people as we get to know ourselves and God in a deeper way.”

A special addition to the week’s activities includes a visit from New York Times bestselling author, William Paul Young. On Thursday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m., Young, author of “The Shack,” will share about the transformation of shame and the message of the shack. In his own words, Young says, “For me, everything is about Jesus and Father and the Holy Spirit, and relationships, and life is an adventure of faith lived one day at a time. I have finally figured out that I have nothing to lose by living a life of faith. I know more joy every minute of every day than seems appropriate, but I love the wastefulness of my Papa’s grace and presence. For me, everything in my life that matters is perfect!”

On Monday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m., in Chrisman Auditorium, UPike will present the first annual Carol Gizzard-Browning Lecture Series with special guest speaker, Dr. Matthew Fox. Fox will discuss creation spirituality: “Seeing Earth as Home: Thoughts on Creation Spirituality.” Fox is an internationally acclaimed theologian who is an ordained Episcopal priest. A spiritual theologian and religious scholar, he has dedicated much of his life to developing and recovering the tradition of Creation Spirituality. eation Spirituality. He founded the Institute in Culture and Creation Spirituality and is currently visiting scholar with the Academy for the Love of Learning headquartered in Santa Fe, New Mexico. For two years he has run a very successful educational pilot project for inner city teenagers in Oakland, Calif., called “YELLAWE” which is succeeding in reaching students who are most apt to drop out of school. He is the author of 28 books, which have sold more than 1.5 million copies in 42 languages. His bestselling works in the U.S. include: “Original Blessing” and “A Spirituality Named Compassion.”

On Tuesday, Nov. 13, at 11 a.m., in Chrisman Auditorium, Fox will share the importance of vocation and God’s creating power in shaping persons for their life’s calling. Later that evening, at 7 p.m., in Chrisman Auditorium, John Howie, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at the University of Pikeville, will be discussing “Cusco & the Spirituality of the Incas.” Howie will be leading a group of students to study in Cusco during the summer of 2013.

The annual night of powerful and uplifting worship and celebration will be Wednesday, Nov. 14. “Worship on the Hill: Emptying Ourselves to be Filled with the Holy Spirit” is the theme for the service. The UPike choir and special guest speaker senior UPike student leader Gabriel Carrillo will lead the worship service. Pastors of the Pike County area churches are invited to participate. The event will be held at 7 p.m. in Booth Auditorium.

On Thursday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m., in Chrisman Auditorium there will be a multi-faith dialogue. The conversation is titled, “Listening & Hearing: How different faith perspectives can be respectfully shared.” Join UPike as a panel discussion takes place between leaders of the Buddhist, Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, Jewish, Islamic, Protestant and Roman Catholic traditions discuss the distinctive aspects of their faith and practice. During this informative night, panelists will share how different faiths are expressed and practiced.

Religious Emphasis Week concludes with a compassion project on Friday, Nov. 16. The campus community will be collecting needed items for the upcoming mission trip to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in January. Needed items include: toys (that do not need batteries), work gloves, sports equipment, flip-flops, shoes and school supplies. Donations will be collected in the breezeway of Java City and the adjacent student lounge.

For more information on Religious Emphasis Week events or to participate in “Worship on the Hill,” contact Musick at (606) 218-5762 or robertmusick@upike.edu. The campus and community are cordially invited to attend all Religious Emphasis Week activities.